Half-Blood Prince 30: The White Tomb
In which the wizarding world assembles for Dumbledore's funeral.
Lessons and exams are cancelled. Bill, though badly hurt, is recovering. Guests begin to arrive for the funeral.
Hermione tells Harry that she had been right, in part, about the Half-Blood Prince: the Eileen Prince she had discovered in a news clipping had married the Muggle Tobias Snape and given birth to a "murderer," as Harry says. (637) Harry speculates that Snape, like Voldemort himself, was a half-blood who played up his mother's pureblood side. He still can't reconcile the unknown boy of his potions textbook with Professor Snape.
The funeral takes place out by the lake and is well attended--not only by members of the Order but by representative of the Ministry, including Umbridge, Fudge, and Scrimgeour. After the merpeople serandade Dumbledore, Harry turns to Ginny and tells her that he can't afford to continue seeing her, that he has to go one alone now.
Harry departs for time alone and is confronted by Scrimgeour, who is still looking for support. Harry says that he is "Dumbeldore's man, through and through." (649)
The chapter ends with Harry telling Ron and Hermione he doesn't plan to return to Hogwarts. After the requisite visit to the Dursleys, he wants to go to Godric's Hollow to see his parents' graves and then go on to hunt down the Horcruxes. Ron and Hermione pledge to stay with him.
Previous chapter: Half-Blood Prince 29: The Phoenix Lament
Next chapter: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS!
Lessons and exams are cancelled. Bill, though badly hurt, is recovering. Guests begin to arrive for the funeral.
Hermione tells Harry that she had been right, in part, about the Half-Blood Prince: the Eileen Prince she had discovered in a news clipping had married the Muggle Tobias Snape and given birth to a "murderer," as Harry says. (637) Harry speculates that Snape, like Voldemort himself, was a half-blood who played up his mother's pureblood side. He still can't reconcile the unknown boy of his potions textbook with Professor Snape.
The funeral takes place out by the lake and is well attended--not only by members of the Order but by representative of the Ministry, including Umbridge, Fudge, and Scrimgeour. After the merpeople serandade Dumbledore, Harry turns to Ginny and tells her that he can't afford to continue seeing her, that he has to go one alone now.
Harry departs for time alone and is confronted by Scrimgeour, who is still looking for support. Harry says that he is "Dumbeldore's man, through and through." (649)
The chapter ends with Harry telling Ron and Hermione he doesn't plan to return to Hogwarts. After the requisite visit to the Dursleys, he wants to go to Godric's Hollow to see his parents' graves and then go on to hunt down the Horcruxes. Ron and Hermione pledge to stay with him.
Previous chapter: Half-Blood Prince 29: The Phoenix Lament
Next chapter: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS!